Yesterday I was talking with someone at the USO about where I was from. When I told them Oklahoma they said this, "Oklahoma? Is there even anything in that state?" They were mostly trying to give me a hard time, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I'm a fiercely loyal Oklahoman and I don't take it well when people act like our state is barren of any sort of entertainment or culture.
So here are a few things about the great state of Oklahoma.
Ever heard of a little company called ConocoPhillips? They started in my hometown.
Did you know the only skyscraper that Frank Lloyd Wright designed also resides in my hometown?
It's called Price Tower
Ever heard of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Troy Aikman, Kristen Chenowith, Vince Gill, Toby Keith or Carrie Underwood? All from Oklahoma.
And how about Ree Drummond of the infamous Pioneer Woman website? She lives in Oklahoma and her husband just happens to run one of the biggest ranches in Oklahoma, if not in the country.
What other state has its own musical?
Oklahoma has beautiful scenery. We have the prairies to the west, tons of lakes, the hills and forests in the southeast and watefalls in the Turner Falls areas.
We don't just do steaks and BBQ in our state either. There are many wonderful restaurants in the smaller towns like Bartlesville and McAlester and there are tons of options in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
A local favorite in my town is Murphy's Steak House, home of the infamous hot hamburger. Basically it's a hamburger, on bread, smothered with fries and gravy. I don't personally like gravy so I don't eat it, but rumor has it that Murphy's is going to be featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
If you've never made it to Oklahoma, then you must! We are a great state with tons of things to offer. A ton of history, some faboulous museums and some excellent food!
Dang...I should be an Oklahoma spokeswoman! Too bad this gig is not a paying one.
As much as I love Italy, there are times I really miss Oklahoma. Sean and I have decided we want to settle around Tulsa one of these days. Until then, it's wherever the military takes us!
Good for you! I wish I had a video of the wizard bum in Key West serenading me about riding a horse from Oklahoma to Houston
ReplyDeleteYay for us Okies!!!
ReplyDeleteHeck, you're spill made me even more proud of our home state.
Did you know that Oklahoma has more mileage of shoreline than any other state? Gotta love our beautiful lakes and rivers.
"OOOOOOOOOK---lahoma where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain!"
ReplyDeleteHaha! I love that musical. Couldn't resist :-)
I miss a lot about my hometown too!
I'm still trying to think of questions for you, i will have to return!
As a Texan, I can't read this without throwing up in my mouth a little. 'Cause as you know, the only thing more crazed than a loyal Oklahoman, in a loyal Texan. :)
ReplyDeleteHad my first trips to Oklahoma this past year, even spent Christmas in Oklahoma City this year. I had fun! I confess, I kind of wondered the same thing before I ever had reason to visit. :-\
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! I seriously want to stand up and shout "AMEN!" Way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Okie, I LOVE Oklahoma!!! I feel sooo blessed to be able to say that I'm from good ole' Oklahoma!! And gorgeous...OMG, I think it's just beautiful!!
I'm soooo glad you shared this post with us!!!! :)
my husband would love to move to oklahoma and get a big ranch. ya know when the kids are gone, he's retired and we are free as birds! I have never been there but you make it sound great!
ReplyDeleteI'm from New Mexico, so you can imagine how many questions I get: "Is that even a state?" "Do you need a passport to go there?" No lie.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
ReplyDeleteAw yay midwest :)
ReplyDeleteyea for Frank Lloyd Wright! and the pioneer woman.. and country singers.. and tornadoes.. :D
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad. I'm from Iowa and I get the same remarks. They're just jealous they can't be from the mid-west!
I'm so glad you shared all that information about your state. To be honest I really don't know a lot about a lot of the states in the Midwest. Coming from a west coast state we don't really get taught anything about smaller, lesser known states. But once I moved to ND and go to see more of the country, I found that there are a lot of qualities I would have never guessed the area to have. Now I have to say, I'm still proud to be a California girl, but I can relate in the fact that I wish people didn't always see my state as the "celebrity state". I grew up in a small town where just about everyone knew everyone in some way shape or form and hell, my road was a dirt road till I was in HS!
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel any better, people have *seriously* asked me if Maine is actually part of the United States before. Actually that happens more often than you'd think.
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for showing Oklahoma in a positive light! When I say I'm from Oklahoma they automatically look shocked that I speak coherently! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be an Okie from Mus...wait, I'm not from Muskogee, but oh well. I'm still proud! :)
We want to settle around Yukon when the hubs retires...I'm seriously looking forward to it!
OH OH! I have another fact for ya... They filmed Where the Red Fern Grows in Tahlequah...near the Illinois River ;). That is a classic! :)
ReplyDeleteSomeday I would love to move to Oklahoma... BACK to Oklahoma! I was born and raised there also!!!
ReplyDeleteBraum's Dairy Farm is in Oklahoma. That is a great place to visit if you like factories and ice cream :-)
wow. I didn't know there were other state residents that felt as proud of their state as Texans do ;)
ReplyDeleteOkay I totally feel you on the "people do NOT bash my state" feelings. I can't tell you how many times I've had to go toe to toe with people about Iowa.
ReplyDeleteBUT....
As for the musicals, it is my duty as an Iowan to inform you of that Umm...err...well..Iowa has TWO!
State Fair and Music Man
But yes, Oklahoma is great! And they do have their own song.
They also serve up a mean Meat-Tator in Lawton!
HA HA! Someone has to keep you honest ya know! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut of course, I mean, whats not to love about Oklahoma AND Iowa?
Plains States Forever!!!!!
I had to come back and comment. A myspace friend sent out a bulletin that made me think of you, so here it is:
ReplyDeleteOKLAHOMA FACTS FOR PRIDE...
OKIE FACTS FROM BETTY JEAN WRIGHT'S HELP
>
> If you love the summer there is:
> Poolville, Oklahoma
> Sunray, Oklahoma
>
> Want Something To Eat?
> Corn, Oklahoma
> Grainola, Oklahoma
> Hominy, Oklahoma
> Olive, Oklahoma
> South Coffeeville, Oklahoma
> Sweetwater, Oklahoma
> Cookietown, Oklahoma
>
> Why Travel To Other Cities? Oklahoma Has Them All!
> Cleveland, Oklahoma
> Orlando, Oklahoma
> Miami, Oklahoma
> Pittsburgh, Oklahoma
> Santa Fe, Oklahoma
> St. Louis, Oklahoma
> Chattanooga, Oklahoma
> Peoria, Oklahoma
> Burbank, Oklahoma
> Fargo, Oklahoma
>
> Don't Forget The Wildlife!
> Wolfe, Oklahoma
> Eagle, Oklahoma
> Buffalo, Oklahoma
> Fox, Oklahoma
> Bison, Oklahoma
> Deer Creek, Oklahoma
> Elk City, Oklahoma
>
> We Have A Town Named After A Number...
> Forty-One, Oklahoma
>
> And A Town Who's Letter's Don't Spell Anything...
> IXL, Oklahoma
>
> And For The Sportsman Who Wants To Get Away From It All...
> Fisherman's Paradise, Oklahoma
>
> We Even Have A City Named After Earth's Only Satellite!
> Moon, Oklahoma
> And A City Named After Our State!
> Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
>
> Feeling A Bit Chilly?
> Snow, Oklahoma
> Slick, Oklahoma
> Cold Springs, Oklahoma
>
> Oklahoma Is Full Of Love!
> Lovedale, Oklahoma
> Loveland, Oklahoma
> Lovell, Oklahoma
> Bigheart, Oklahoma
> Loyal, Oklahoma
>
> Like To Read About The Presidents?
> Adams, Oklahoma
> Taylor, Oklahoma
> Fillmore, Oklahoma
> Grant, Oklahoma
> Taft, Oklahoma
> Johnson, Oklahoma
> Lincoln, Oklahoma
> Jefferson, Oklahoma
> Reagan, Oklahoma
> Wilson, Oklahoma
> Roosevelt, Oklahoma
> Carter, Oklahoma
> Clinton, Oklahoma
> Washington, Oklahoma
>
> Other City Names In Oklahoma To Make You Smile.....
> Frogville, Oklahoma
> Loco, Oklahoma
> Bushyhead, Oklahoma
> Bugtussle, Oklahoma
> Hooker, Oklahoma
> Slaughterville, Oklahoma
> Bowlegs, Oklahoma
> Slapout, Oklahoma
>
> And Regardless What Side Of The Fence You're On...
> Gay, Oklahoma
> Straight, Oklahoma
>
> Here Are Some Little Known But Very Interesting Facts About
Oklahoma.
> 1. The bread twist tie was invented in Maysville.
> 2. The shopping cart was invented in Ardmore in 1936.
> 3. The nation's first parking meter was intalled in Oklahoma
City in 1935.
> 4. The first Girl Scout Cookie was sold in Muskogee in 1917.
> 5. Cimarron County, located in the Oklahoma Panhandle, is the
only county in the U.S. bordered by 4 separate states...Texas, New
Mexico, Colorado & Kansas.
> 6. The Oklahoma State Capital is the only capital in the U.S. with working oil wells on its grounds.
> 7. Boise City, Oklahoma was the only city in the United States to be bombed during World War II.
On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at
12:30 a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base, Texas, dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town, mistaking the city lights as target lights.
> 8. WKY Radio in Oklahoma City was the first radio station transmitting west of the Mississippi River.
> 9. The nation's first 'Tornado Warning' was issued on March 25, 1948 in Oklahoma City minutes before a devastating tornado.
Because of the warning, no lives were lost.
> 10. Oklahoma has the largest Native American population of any
state in the U.S.
> 11. The name 'Oklahoma' comes from two Choctaw words...okla
meaning 'people' and humma meaning 'red'. So the name means, 'Red
People.' The name was approved in 1890.
> 12. Oklahoma produced more astronauts than any other state.
> 13. Oklahoma has more man made lakes than any other state.
> 14. During the 'Land Rush', Oklahoma City went from a vast,
open prairie to a city of over 10,000 in a single day.
> 15. The nation's first traffic 'Yield' sign was erected in
Tulsa on a trial basis.
> 16. Pensacola Dam is the longest multi-arched dam in the world
at 6,565 feet.
> 17. The 'Port of Catoosa' (just north of Tulsa) is the largest
inland port in America.
> 18. The aerosol can was invented in Bartlesville.
> 19. Per square mile, Oklahoma has more tornadoes than any other place in the world.
> 20. The highest wind speed ever recorded on earth was in
Moore, Oklahoma on May 3rd. 1999 during the Oklahoma City F-5 tornado. Wind speed was clocked at 318 mph.
> 21. The 'Will Rogers World Airport' and the 'Wiley Post Airport' are both named after two famous Okies....both killed in an airplane crash!!!
> Cowboy's Ten Commandments
> (1) Just one God.
> (2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
> (3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
> (4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
> (5) Put nothin' before God.
> (6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
> (7) No killin'.
> (8) Watch yer mouth.
> (9) Don't take what ain't yers.
> (10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff
> Now that's plain an' simple don'tcha think?